Research Assistants

Sydney Prince is an undergraduate psychology major and an associate research assistant in the SPF Lab. Sydney began her work in the SPF Lab in the summer of 2018 working on assessing Native American enculturation and acculturation within Mono and Biracial Individuals. Sydney plans to present research at the Southwestern Psychological Association (SWPA), the Society for Research on Human Development (SRHD), and other state and regional conferences. Sydney is actively collecting survey data within tribal communities and at cultural events. Sydney is applying to Ph.D. programs in clinical psychology and plans become a clinical psychologist and to work within tribal communities to improve outcomes and resilience for those most at risk.

Marina Brown is an undergraduate chemistry major and senior research assistant in the SPF Lab. Marina began her work in the SPF Lab in 2015 examining factors of resilience within populations of sexual assault survivors. She later published that work in the Journal of Traumatic Stress. Marina has presented research at the Southwestern Psychological Association (SWPA) Conference in 2016 and 2017. Marina plans to present at SWPA and the Society for Research on Human Development (SRHD) conference in 2018. Marina has a leadership role in the SPF Lab. Her duties include training associate research assistants, performing literature reviews, and editing research design. She is currently working towards publishing work in the area of health resilience and medical trauma. Marina plans to pursue a dual degree DO/PhD upon graduating and conduct research on neurodegenerative diseases as well as developmental disorders such as autism. She is also interested in examining neural capacities of such disorders. To learn more about Marinas research, click here.

Lindsey J. Comer is psychology major and an associate research assistant in the SPF Lab. Lindsey began her work in the SPF Lab in the summer of 2017 working to build a survey for research investigating factors of adult resilience in Lesbian, Gay, and/or Bi-sexual women within the context of childhood ecological risk such as neighborhood violence and danger. Lindsey plans to present research at the National Council on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) and the Society for Research on Human Development (SRHD) in 2018. Lindsey plans to become a professional counselor and possibly pursue a doctorate degree in Social Psychology or Women’s Studies.

Leanne Perales is a graduate student and is currently completing her practicum hours in marriage and family therapy. Leanne is a senior research assistant in the SPF Lab. Leanne began her work in the SPF lab in 2016 collecting and coding data for research exploring the relationship between grandparent support, resilience, and Native American enculturation. Leanne has presented research at the Southwestern Psychological Association (SWPA) Conference in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and the Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP) in 2017. Leanne plans to present at SWPA, SPSP, and the National Council on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) in 2018. Her leadership responsibilities in the SPF Lab include training associate research assistants, performing literature reviews, and editing research design. Leanne plans to become licensed as a marriage and family therapist and pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.

Tessa Jesus is a graduate student and a senior research assistant in the SPF Lab. Tessa successfully defended her Master’s thesis, Development of the Interpersonal Sexual Script Scale for Women, in the fall of 2017. She plans to gradate with a Master’s of Science in Behavioral Science in May of 2018. Tessa has a Bachelor’s of Music in Music Therapy and plans to work as a music therapist while pursuing a doctorate degree in Social or Counseling Psychology. Her recent projects include working with Native American youth to better understand the roles culture and cultural music play in reducing drug and alcohol abuse. Tessa plans to present research at the Southwestern Psychological Association (SWPA), the Society for Research on Human Development (SRHD), and the International Association for Relationship Research (IARR) in 2018.